Air hose support clip to prevent lateral loading

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms. In a preferred embodiment, the clip is provided with a bend in its first arm operative to promote optimum point-loading of the clip, and this embodiment of the clip is particularly useful with a chain suspension strap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/787,114, filed Mar. 29, 2006, and U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/729,831, filed on Mar.29, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to air hose suspension systems for rail cars andthe like and especially a simplified, reliable clip and readilyadjustable strap assembly for maintaining a flexible device such as theend of a rail car hose at a desired height above the rail structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Failure to maintain rail car hoses at a proper height above the railstructure is a significant cause of unintended air hose couplingseparation leading to emergency braking and stopping of the train andsometimes even derailment. Obviously, emergency braking is a cause oftime-consuming and costly train delays as a result of the need for acrew member to walk the length of the train looking for the cause. Whenan uncoupled air hose is discovered, the crew member must reconnect thecoupling members or effect an emergency repair before returning to theengine.

To eliminate the problem, it is known to provide air hose strapsinterconnected between the coupler or other parts of the car and the endof the air hose. Known straps have a fastening system including wireclips which have a hooked end which fits through an aperture on afixture on the air hose. The wire is then looped back through a selectedaperture on the strap and then captured by the hooked end.

The looped portion of one of the prior art clips extends through anaperture in a bracket typically provided on the bottom of each rail carcoupler. A second clip is provided which is preferably identical to thefirst. The looped portion of the second clip fits through an apertureintegral with the glad hand fitting on the end of the air hose. If thestraps have not been properly installed or should the strap materialelongate over time, readjustment becomes necessary to avoid the riskthat the air hose will strike a cross tie, a grade crossing, a switch orother track structure causing air hose separation.

While air hose support straps made of chain, steel cable or webbing canbe used, the presently preferred approach is to use an elastomeric strapmaterial capable of providing some give in operation. Polyurethane is apresently preferred strap material. Elongated spring clips as fastenermembers are provided for attachment of one of the ends of the strap tothe railcar body and the opposite end to an apertured fitting at the endof the air hose.

Although these assemblies are effective in supporting the end of the airhose, a problem arises which leads to damage and ultimately to failureof the clips in service. This problem was investigated following fieldservice reports of air hose support straps that had failed because of“bent or missing clips”.

The investigation revealed that over 95% of clip damage occurred to theclip connecting the bottom of the support strap to the air hose gladhand fitting. From analysis of a number of clips produced by differentmanufacturers, it was observed that the damage was a result of the clipbeing strained on the long sides of the clip (lateral loading) insteadof along the long axis of the clip (longitudinal loading). The clips aremuch stronger when the load is applied on the clip ends rather than onits long sides.

The invention is based on a recognition of the cause of this lateralloading and to the means provided for eliminating it. Lateral loadingoccurs when the railroad car coupler is in the buff position as occurswhen it is not under load. In this condition, the air hose support isslack, which allows a clip of prior art design to slide along its lengththrough the glad hand aperture. When the coupler returns to the neutralor draft position, the load is applied to the side of the clip where itis weakest rather than its ends, bending the clip into an oblong orovoid shape. Eventually, this causes the clip's locking integrity to belost. It was observed that this type of lateral loading accounts for themajority of clip damage failures.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the problem of air hosesupport clips being damaged through the action of the coupler system.

In a clip according to the invention, the end used for connection to thelower, glad hand end of the air hose includes a retainer to prevent theclip sliding through the glad hand connector aperture, thereby avoidingthe risk of damage through lateral loading. The retainer preferablycomprises bent portions of the clip arms which are relatively positionedto prevent movement of the clip through the aperture when the clip armsare latched. Optionally, the retainer may take form of one or morehelical loops in which the attachment aperture is interfitted, orprovision of a retainer attachment which attaches to the clip arms andretains the attachment aperture within the loop interconnecting the cliparms as further explained and illustrated in the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention also provides clips and assemblies for maintaining an airbrake hose of a railway vehicle at a predetermined height above asupporting road bed structure that promote optimum point-loading of theclips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of a railcar including acoupler and train line structure illustrating the use of a support strapassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clip forming a preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the clip of FIGS. 1 (clip 20 therein), 2, 4, 9,15, 20, 21, and 26, and a mirror image of an end view of the clip ofFIGS. 11 (clip 20 a therein) and 19;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the modified form of the clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating anotherembodiment of the clip of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of theclip of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective a further embodiment of the clip ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an alternative version of the clipof the invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of still other embodiments of theclip of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective, of a railway car includinga coupler and train line structure illustrating the use of another ofthe preferred assemblies of the present invention for maintaining an airbrake hose of a railway vehicle at a predetermined height above asupporting road bed structure;

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation of a clip 21(b) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a view in side elevation of the clip 21(b) shown in FIG. 12looking from the left of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view in perspective of the clip 21(b) of FIGS. 12 and 13 inthe process of being interconnected to a suspension strap;

FIG. 15 is a view in perspective of the clip 21(b) of FIGS. 12 and 13after being interconnected to a suspension strap;

FIG. 16 is a view in side elevation of a clip 20(a) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a view in side elevation of the clip 20(a) shown in FIG. 16looking from the left of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a view in perspective of the clip 20(a) of FIGS. 16 and 17 inthe process of being interconnected to a suspension strap;

FIG. 19 is a view in perspective of the clip 20(a) of FIGS. 16 and 17after being interconnected to a suspension strap;

FIG. 20 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(c) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(d) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(e) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(f) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(g) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(h) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(i) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 27 is a view in perspective of a clip 20(j) forming anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an air brake hose conventionally constructedof rubber or other flexible material having similar properties isillustrated at 10. The air hose is connected to a train line 11 runninglengthwise of the rail vehicle 11 a. A trolley 12 supports the trainline by means of shackles 13. The trolley 12 has a hooked end portion 14which suspends it from a hanger on the face 15 of the coupler pocket.The opposite end of air hose 10 is fitted with a glad hand connector 16interfittable with a similarly shaped fitting at the end of the air hoseon the next rail vehicle in the train.

In order to maintain the end of the air hose a suitable distance abovethe track structure, a suspension strap 18 is attached to a fitting 19on the top surface of the glad hand having an aperture 19 a and anapertured fitting 22 conventionally provided on coupler 23. The strap 18is preferably flexible and resilient and typically formed by molding ofa polymeric material such as polyurethane. It is provided with apertures24 spaced at regular intervals along its length. Attachment to therespective fitting 19 and 22 is by means of clips 20, 21 passed throughselected apertures 24. The preferred form of clip 20 is disclosed inmore detail in FIGS. 2-10. Clip 21 may be the same as clip 20 or ofsimilar but simplified construction as explained below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, clips 20 of the invention are formed ofresiliently bendable wire. In the form of FIGS. 2 and 3, the clipcomprises a pair of elongated clip arms 26 and 28 joined together by alooping return portion 30 at one end. Return portion 30 preferablyextends through an angle greater than 180 degrees and joins the arm at38 where there is contact with clip arm 26 when the clip is in theclosed position of FIGS. 2 and 3. At its opposite end, clip arm 26terminates in portion 32 bent at 90° with respect to the arm. The end ofportion 32 is then bent about 180° to form a hooked-shaped portion 34which is adapted to fit over the end of clip arm 28 as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The end portion of arm 28 is preferably first bentlaterally at an angle of about 90° with respect to the axis of arm 28and then preferably bent back upon itself through 180° as illustrated at36 so as to capture hook portion 34 and prevent its inadvertentuncoupling under the influence of tensile forces applied to arms eitherlaterally or axially of the clip long axis.

In the open position, the loop formed by end portion 30 is substantiallyopen when the free end of arm 28 is uncaptured from hook 34. In thisposition, the arm 26 or the arm 28 can readily be passed through theapertured opening of the glad hand fitting 19 and the glad hand fittingadvanced lengthwise of either arm until it is within the loop 30. Withthe apertured glad hand fitting so positioned, the end 32 of clip arm 26is then passed through a selected aperture in strap 18. The ends of thehook are then closed together so that the hook 34 captures the arm 28.In this position, the loop portion 30 includes the portion shown at 38in FIG. 2 which bears against the arm 26 capturing the glad hand fittingin place between the two arms.

The clip configuration just described eliminates the tendency of clipslike those of the prior art to shift relative to the apertured fittingof the glad hand 16 along one or the other of the arms 26 or 28 when thecoupler is in the buff condition when the coupler is not under load andis retracted within the coupler pocket. As indicated above, if the priorart clip shifts under slack coupler conditions, and the coupler is thenplaced under load, a lateral force applied between the apertured fittingand a clip arm will cause the arm to bend and ultimately to fail byexceeding the elastic limit of the wire, allowing the glad hand to dropdown and possibly uncouple if it strikes track structure. In contrast,with clips made according to the invention, the apertured fitting iscaptured within the loop formed by end portion 30 unless and until theclip is deliberately opened. Clip failure caused by coupler movementbetween the slack and load conditions is avoided inasmuch as the forcesacting on the clip are always exerted axially of the clip rather thanlaterally of it.

Clip 21 is provided for attachment of the upper end of strap 18 to theapertured fitting 22 of coupler 23 as shown in FIG. 1. The clip 21 maybe similar to clip 20 having a pair of arms 26′ and 28′ joined by areturn portion 30′ bent through about 180°. As is the case with clip 20,clip arm 26′ has a hook-shaped end portion 32′ which fits through aselected aperture 24 on strap 18 and projects so as to hook over the endof arm 28′. As seen in FIG. 1, the arm 28′ of clip 21 need not beprovided with the retainer loop portion 30 of clip 20, as it has beendetermined that there is no condition of operation where clip 21 willshift to a position in which its arms will be subjected to transverseloading.

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate alternative versions of a clip assembly used as apart of a support strap assembly for connection of the support strap tothe air hose glad hand according to the present invention. In theseFigures and the description which follows, like numbers to those used inFIGS. 2 and 3 are used to identify the same or similar parts. In FIG. 4,clip arm 28 has a relatively straight section 28 a which is biased tobear against arm 26 when the clip is closed. In FIG. 5 (similarly toFIG. 2), the contact between the two arms 26 and 28 is essentially apoint contact. The return loop 30 captures the apertured fitting as inFIG. 2. FIG. 6 illustrates a form of clip in which the looped portionextends as a spiral between the arms 26 and 28. In FIG. 6, the loop 30is comprised of two turns. In FIG. 7, the loop 30 is bent so that arm 28crosses over arm 26 at two points 40 and 42. The cross-overconfiguration illustrated in this figure is provided to afford furthercertainty that the apertured fitting will remain within the loop 30. InFIG. 8, the loop 30 extends transversely of the plane of the arms 26 and28 as a means of assuring that the apertured fitting will remaincentered within the looped portion 30. In FIG. 9, the arm 28 includestwo bends 28 a and 28 b extending substantially towards arm 26. FIG. 10discloses an arrangement in which the loop 30 is provided with an insert44 which is formed with a groove within which the apertured fittingfits. The insert provides a loop 30 a of restricted size and arestricted throat 30 b. The apertured fitting is preferably formed of ayieldable thermoplastic material which yields to permit passage of theapertured fitting into the inner loop 30 a. The groove which receivesthe looped portion 30 is preferably flanged, the flange serving as aretainer for locking the insert to the clip.

In all embodiments described above, the clip, when open, can beconveniently threaded through the aperture of the glad hand fitting andthe fitting centered within the return loop. The latching end of arm 26is then passed through a selected aperture in strap 18, and the two endsof the arms of the clip are laterally together. The apertured fitting isthereupon maintained within the return loop and the problem of lateralloading on the clip arms is avoided.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 to 27, there is shown still other preferredembodiments of the inventive clip and other preferred embodiments of theinventive assembly for maintaining an air brake hose 10 of a railwayvehicle 11 a at a predetermined height above a supporting road bedstructure. In FIGS. 11-27, and the description which follows, likenumbers to those used in FIGS. 1-10 are used to identify the same orsimilar parts. In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-27, eachof the inventive clips is provided for interconnection with anattachment portion of a suspension strap 18 used to suspend an air brakehose 10 of a railway vehicle 11 a above a supporting road bed structure.The suspension strap 18 may be made of chain, steel cable, webbing, orpolymeric material, and for the embodiments of the invention illustratedin FIGS. 11 to 27, the suspension strap 18 preferably is a metal chainsuch as that made from stainless steel.

Each of the inventive clips 20(a), 20(b), 20(c), 20(d), 20(e), 20(f),20(g), 20(h), 20(i), and 20(j) illustrated in FIGS. 11-27 preferably isformed from resiliently bendable metal, and preferably has a first end111 and a latching end 113, and a pair of flexibly resilient elongatedarms 26, 28 extending away from the latching end 113 of the clip to thefirst end 111 of the clip. The pair of arms comprise a first arm 26 anda second arm 28. The arms 26 and 28 of each clip are joined by a returnportion 30 at the first end 111 of the clip. The first arm 26 at thelatching end 113 of the clip has a latching member 115 for interlockingengagement with the second arm 28 when desired.

The latching member 115 has an interlocking end portion 117 (preferablya hook-shaped portion 34 which is adapted to fit over the clip arm 28)for engaging the second arm 28, and the latching member 115 has a strapengaging portion 119 for engaging an attachment portion of thesuspension strap 18. The strap engaging portion 119 of the latchingmember 115 is located between the interlocking end portion 117 of thelatching member 115 and the first arm 26 at the latching end 113 of theclip short of the latching member 115 indicated at reference no. 121 inthe drawings.

The first arm 26 short of the latching member 115 and the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115 form an acute angle αtherebetween operative when the interlocking end portion 117 of thelatching member 115 engages the second arm 28 for positioning thesuspension strap 18 to rest where the strap engaging portion 119 of thelatching member 115 meets the first arm 26 short at the latching member115 indicated at reference no. 121 shown in the drawings. When theinventive clip is under load, the bend at reference no. 121 in the firstarm 26, due to the acute angle α, forces the suspension strap 18 toslide down the strap engaging portion 119 to the apex (marked in thedrawings by reference no. 121) of the acute angle α where the strapengaging portion 119 of the latching member 115 meets the first arm 26short of the latching member 115. The location marked in the drawings byreference no. 121 where the strap engaging portion 119 of the latchingmember 115 meets the first arm 26 short of the latching member 115 isthe strongest location to point-load the clip. Preferably, the acuteangle α formed between the strap engaging portion 119 of the lathingmember 115 and the first arm 26 short of the latching member 115 is lessthan 90 degrees, and more preferably is in a range of about 20 degreesto about 80 degrees, and even more preferably is in a range of about 45degrees to about 70 degrees, and even more preferably is in a range ofabout 50 degrees to about 65 degrees. A very preferred value for acuteangle α is 57 degrees.

Also, in some preferred embodiments of the invention, the inventiveclips are constructed in accordance with the invention such that the endportion 123 of the second arm 28 at the latching end 113 of the clip isfirst bent laterally at an angle θ that is preferably less than 90degrees (and more preferably is in a range between about 45 degrees toabout 87 degrees, and even more preferably is in a range between about50 degrees to about 85 degrees, and even more preferably is in a rangebetween about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees, and even more preferablyis 80 degrees) with respect to the axis of the arm 28 and thenpreferably bent back upon itself through 180 degrees to form a thumbrelease loop 36 shown in FIGS. 11-21, 23, and 27 so as to capture theinterlocking end portion 117 (e.g., the hook-shaped portion 34) andprevent its inadvertent uncoupling under the influence of tensile forcesapplied to the arms 26 and 28 either laterally or axially of the cliplong axis. The thumb release loop 36 makes it easy for a worker wearinggloves to grasp the resilient arms 26 and 28 with one hand and open andclose the clip by depressing and/or releasing the thumb release loop 36with the thumb of the same hand.

In other preferred embodiments of the inventive clip, the end portion123 of the second arm 28 is bent laterally at an angle θ that ispreferably less than 90 degrees (and more preferably is in a rangebetween about 45 degrees to about 87 degrees, and even more preferablyis in a range between about 50 degrees to about 85 degrees, and evenmore preferably is in a range between about 60 degrees to about 80degrees, and even more preferably is about 80 degrees) with respect tothe axis of the arm 28, and then in some embodiments bent again suchthat the composite bending of the first end portion 123 of the secondarm 28 equals about 180 degrees (as illustrated FIGS. 22, 24, 25, and26.)

Preferably, when the inventive clip having the acute angle α between itsfirst arm 26 short of the latching member 115 and the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115 as described herein is used tointerconnect the suspension strap 18 to the attachment fitting 19 of anair brake hose 10, a retainer is provided as described above withrespect to the clips 20 of FIGS. 1-10, which creates a confinement area127 between itself and the return portion 30 of the clip when thelatching member 115 is latched to the second arm 28 for maintaining aportion of an attachment fitting 19 of an air brake hose 10 within theconfinement area 127 and out of position in which loading of the clip bythe air brake hose 10 is exerted laterally of the arms of the clip.

Referring specifically to the embodiment of the inventive clipillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 16 to 19, there is shown a clip 20(a), whichhas an acute angle α formed between the first arm 26, short of thelatching member 115, and the strap engaging portion 119 of the latchingmember 115, and which has the end portion 123 of the second arm 28 atthe latching end 113 of the clip 20(a) bent laterally at an angle θ.Further, like the embodiment of the inventive clip shown in FIG. 2, theclip 20(a) of FIGS. 11 and 16 to 19 is provided with a retainer (in thisembodiment, where the arms 26 and 28 meet at reference no. 38 when theclip is in a closed position), which creates a confinement area 127between itself and the return portion 30 at the first end 111 of theclip 20(a).

Referring specifically to the embodiment of the inventive clipillustrated in FIGS. 11-15, there is shown a clip 20(b), which has anacute angle α formed between the first arm 26, short of the latchingmember 115, and the strap engaging portion 119 of the latching member115, and which has the end portion 123 of the second arm 28 at thelatching end 113 of the clip 20(a) bent laterally at an angle θ.Preferably, the clip 20(b) is used to interconnect the suspension strap18 to apertured fitting 22 of the coupler 23 of the railway vehicle 11a. However, clips having a retainer at their first ends (e.g., clips20(a), 20(c), 20(d), 20(e), 20(f), 20(g), 20(h), 20(i), and 20(j)) maybe used to interconnect the suspension strap 18 to the apertured fitting22 of the coupler 23 if desired.

Referring specifically to the embodiments of the invention illustratedin FIGS. 20-27, the clip 20(c) of FIG. 20 is substantially the same asthe clip of FIG. 2, the clip 20(d) of FIG. 21 is substantially the sameas the clip of FIG. 4, the clip 20(e) of FIG. 22 is substantially thesame as the clip of FIG. 5, the clip 20(f) of FIG. 23 is substantiallythe same as the clip of FIG. 6, the clip 20(g) of FIG. 24 issubstantially the same as the clip of FIG. 7, the clip 20(h) of FIG. 25is substantially the same as the clip of FIG. 8, the clip 20(i) of FIG.26 is substantially the same as the clip of FIG. 9, and the clip 20(j)of FIG. 27 is substantially the same as the clip of FIG. 10, except thefirst arm 26, short of the latching member 115, and the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115, for each of the clips 20(c),20(d), 20(e), 20(f), 20(g), 20(h), 20(i), and 20(j), form an angle α,which preferably is less than 90 degrees (and more preferably is in arange of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees, and even more preferablyis in a range of about 45 degrees to about 70 degrees, and even morepreferably is in a range of about 50 degrees to about 65 degrees, andeven more preferably is 57 degrees), operative when the interlocking endportion 117 of the latching member 115 engages the second arm 28 forpositioning the suspension strap 18 to rest where the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115 meets the first arm 26 short ofthe latching member 115 indicated at reference no. 121 shown in thedrawings, and the end portion 123 of the second arm 28 at the latchingend 113 of each of the clips 20(c), 20(d), 20(e), 20(f), 20(g), 20(h),20(i), and 20(j) is bent laterally at an angle θ that is preferably lessthan 90 degrees (and more preferably is in a range between about 45degrees to about 87 degrees, and even more preferably is in a rangebetween about 50 degrees to about 85 degrees, and even more preferablyis in a range between about 60 degrees to about 80 degrees, and evenmore preferably is about 80 degrees) with respect to the axis of the arm28, so as to capture the interlocking end portion 117 (e.g., thehook-shaped portion 34) and prevent its inadvertent uncoupling under theinfluence of tensile forces applied to the arms 26 and 28 eitherlaterally or axially of the clip long axis.

With respect to all of the embodiments of the inventive clip illustratedin FIGS. 11-27, but preferably with respect to the clip 20(b)illustrated in FIGS. 11-15, an arm (26 or 28) beginning at the latchingend 113 of the inventive clip, when open, may be threaded through theaperture in the apertured fitting 22 in the coupler 23, and the clipmaneuvered such that the fitting 22 is centered within the returnportion 30. Then, the first arm 26 at the latching end 113 of the clipmay be threaded through a selected aperture 24 in the suspension strap18 (e.g., a link in the chain), and, with the suspension strap 18engaging the strap engaging portion 119 of the latching member 115, andwith a portion of the fitting 22 being positioned at the first end 111of the clip when any of the clips 20(a) and 20(c)-20(j) are used, thearm 26 and 28 may be pressed together such that the interlocking endportion 117 (e.g., the hook-shaped portion 34) of the latching member115 of the first arm 26 engages (e.g., hooks over) the second arm 28 toclose the clip.

With respect to all of the embodiments of the inventive clip illustratedin FIGS. 11-27, but preferably with respect to the clips 20(a), 20(c),20(d), 20(e), 20(f), 20(g), 20(h), 20(i), and 20(j) shown in FIGS. 11and 16-27, an arm (26 or 28) beginning at the latching end 113 of theinventive clip, when open, may be threaded through the aperture 19 a inthe fitting 19 on the air brake hose 10, and the clip maneuvered suchthat the fitting 19 is centered within the return portion 30. Then, thefirst arm 26 at the latching end 113 of the clip may be threaded throughthe selected aperture 24 in the suspension strap 18 (e.g., a link in thechain), and, with the suspension strap 18 engaging the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115, and with a portion of thefitting 19 being positioned at the first end 111 of the clip when any ofthe clips 20(a) and 20(c)-20(j) are used, the arms 26 and 28 may bepressed together such that the interlocking end portion 117 (e.g., thehook-shaped portion 34) of the latching member 115 of the first arm 26engages (e.g., hooks over) the second arm 28 to close the clip.

In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-27, the inventive assembly formaintaining an air brake hose 10 of railway vehicle 11 a at apredetermined height above a supporting road bed structure, preferablywith any of the inventive clips 20(a) and 20(c) to 20(j) interconnectingthe suspension strap 18 to the attachment fitting 19 of the air brakehose 10 while maintaining a portion of the attachment fitting 19 of theair brake hose 10 within the confinement area 127 and out of position inwhich loading of the clip by the air brake hose 10 is exerted laterallyof the arms 26, 28 of the clip, and preferably with any of the inventiveclips 20(a) to 20(j) (but more preferably with clip 20(b))interconnecting the suspension strap 18 to the apertured fitting 22 ofthe coupler 23 of the railway vehicle 11 a, when load is applied theretodue to the air brake hose 10 of the railway vehicle 11 a being supportedthereby at a predetermined height above a supporting road bed structure,operates to position the suspension strap 18, where it attaches to theclips, at the bend in the first arm 26 (marked in the drawings byreference no. 121) of each clip, which is the strongest location topoint-load each clip, the load causing the clip attachment portion ofthe suspension strap 18 to slide along the strap engaging portion 119 ofthe latching member 115 of each clip to the apex (marked in the drawingsby reference no. 121) of the acute angle α where the strap engagingportion 119 of the latching member 115 meets the first arm 26 short ofthe latching member 115, and operates to capture a portion of theattachment fitting 19 of the air brake hose 10 within the confinementarea 127 and out of position in which loading of the clip by the airbrake hose 10 is exerted laterally of the arms 26 and 28 of the clip.

1. An assembly for maintaining the end of a vehicle air brake hose at apredetermined height above the supporting road bed structure, the hosehaving a coupling member with a fitting having an attachment aperture atits free end, the assembly comprising a flexible strap having a firstend affixed to the vehicle and a second end, at least one attachmentaperture spaced towards the second end and a releasable clip having alatching end including interlocking end portions for connection to thestrap through the attachment aperture, the clip further having a pair offlexibly resilient, elongated arms extending away from the latching end,the arms being joined by a return portion, the return portion beinginsertable through the attachment aperture of the air hose couplingmember, the clip having a retainer operative when the interlocking endportions are latched for maintaining the attachment aperture fittingwithin the confines of the return portion and out of position in whichloading of the clip by the coupling member is exerted laterally of theclip arms.
 2. A clip for interconnection with an attachment portion of asuspension strap used to suspend an air brake hose of a vehicle above aroad bed structure, the clip having a first end and a latching end, apair of flexibly resilient elongated arms extending away from thelatching end of the clip to the first end of the clip, the arms beingjoined by a return portion at the first end of the clip, the pair ofarms comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first arm at thelatching end of the clip having a latching member for interlockingengagement with the second arm when desired, the latching member havingan interlocking end portion for engaging the second arm, the latchingmember having a strap engaging portion for engaging an attachmentportion of the suspension strap, the strap engaging portion of thelatching member being located between the interlocking end portion ofthe latching member and the first arm at the latching end of the clipshort of the latching member, the strap engaging portion of the latchingmember and the first arm short of the latching member forming an acuteangle therebetween operative when the interlocking end portion of thelatching member engages the second arm for positioning the suspensionstrap to rest where the strap engaging portion of the latching membermeets the first arm short of the latching member.
 3. The clip of claim2, further including a retainer creating a confinement area betweenitself and the return portion of the clip when the latching member islatched to the second arm, the retainer being operative when thelatching member is latched to the second arm for maintaining a portionof an attachment fitting of an air brake hose within the confinementarea and out of position in which loading of the clip by the air brakehose is exerted laterally of the arms of the clip.
 4. The clip of claim3, said retainer comprising portions of said arms of the clip, saidportions being pre-bent towards one another and being biased relativelyto each other into positions forming the confinement area when thelatching member is latched to the second arm.
 5. The clip of claim 3,said retainer comprising an attachment member affixed to at least one ofsaid arms, said attachment member having a portion projecting towardsthe other arm sufficient to form the confinement area when the latchingmember is latched to the second arm.
 6. The clip of claim 2, said returnportion comprising a helical loop, the ends of the helical loop joiningthe clip arms and the loop being dimensioned to confine a portion of anattachment fitting of an air brake hose within the confines of the loop.7. The clip of claim 2, the arms of the clip crossing one another beforejoining the return portion of the clip.
 8. The clip of claim 2, the armsof the clip crossing one another twice before joining the return portionof the clip.
 9. The clip of claim 2, the arms resiliently touching oneanother before joining the return portion of the clip.
 10. The clip ofclaim 2, the arms having parallel portions resiliently touching oneanother before joining the return portion of the clip.
 11. An assemblyfor maintaining an air brake hose of a vehicle at a predetermined heightabove a supporting road bed structure, the assembly comprising asuspension strap having a first end portion and a second end portion,the first end portion being affixable to the vehicle, the suspensionstrap having an attachment portion located at the second end portion ofthe suspension strap, and a first releasable clip for connecting thesuspension strap to an attachment fitting of an air brake hose, thefirst releasable clip having a first end and a latching end, a pair offlexibly resilient elongated arms extending away from the latching endof the first releasable clip to the first end of the clip, the armsbeing joined by a return portion at the first end of the firstreleasable clip, the pair of arms comprising a first arm and a secondarm, the first arm at the latching end of the first releasable cliphaving a latching member for interlocking engagement with the second armwhen desired, the latching member having an interlocking end portion forengaging the second arm, the latching member having a strap engagingportion for engaging the attachment portion of the suspension strap, thestrap engaging portion of the latching member being located between theinterlocking end portion of the latching member and the first arm at thelatching end of the first releasable clip short of the latching member,the strap engaging portion of the latching member and the first armshort of the latching member forming an acute angle therebetweenoperative when the interlocking end portion of the latching memberengages the second arm for positioning the suspension strap to restwhere the strap engaging portion of the latching member meets the firstarm short of the latching member.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, furtherincluding a retainer creating a confinement area between itself and thereturn portion of the first releasable clip when the latching member islatched to the second arm, the retainer being operative when thelatching member is latched to the second arm for maintaining a portionof an attachment fitting of an air brake hose within the confinementarea and out of position in which loading of the clip by the air brakehose is exerted laterally of the arms of the first releasable clip. 13.The assembly of claim 12, said retainer comprising portions of said armsof the first releasable clip, said portions being pre-bent towards oneanother and being biased relatively to each other into positions formingthe confinement area when the latching member is latched to the secondarm.
 14. The assembly of claim 12, said retainer comprising anattachment member affixed to at least one of said arms, said attachmentmember having a portion projecting towards the other arm sufficient toform the confinement area when the latching member is latched to thesecond arm.
 15. The assembly of claim 11, said return portion comprisinga helical loop, the ends of the helical loop joining the clip arms andthe loop being dimensioned to confine a portion of an attachment fittingof an air brake hose within the confines of the loop.
 16. The assemblyof claim 11, the arms of the first releasable clip crossing one anotherbefore joining the return portion of the first releasable clip.
 17. Theassembly of claim 11, the arms of the first releasable clip crossing oneanother twice before joining the return portion of the first releasableclip.
 18. The assembly of claim 11, the arms resiliently touching oneanother before joining the return portion of the first releasable clip.19. The assembly of claim 11, the arms having parallel portionsresiliently touching one another before joining the return portion ofthe first releasable clip.
 20. The assembly of claim 11, the suspensionstrap having an attachment portion located at the first end portion ofthe suspension strap, the assembly further including a second releasableclip for affixing the first end portion of the suspension strap to thevehicle, the second releasable clip having a first end and a latchingend, a pair of flexibly resilient elongated arms extending away from thelatching end of the second releasable clip to the first end of thesecond releasable clip, the arms of the second releasable clip beingjoined by a return portion at the first end of the second releasableclip, the pair of arms of the second releasable clip comprising a firstarm and a second arm, the first arm of the second releasable clip at thelatching end of the second releasable clip having a latching member forinterlocking engagement with the second arm of the second releasableclip when desired, the latching member of the first arm of the secondreleasable clip having an interlocking end portion for engaging thesecond arm of the second releasable clip, the latching member of thefirst arm of the second releasable clip having a strap engaging portionfor engaging the attachment portion located at the first end portion ofthe suspension strap, the strap engaging portion of the latching memberof the first arm of the second releasable clip being located between theinterlocking end portion of the latching member of the first arm of thesecond releasable clip and the first arm of the second releasable clipat the latching end of the second releasable clip short of the latchingmember of the first arm of the second releasable clip, the strapengaging portion of the latching member of the first arm of the secondreleasable clip and the first arm of the second releasable clip short ofthe latching member of the first arm of the second releasable clipforming an acute angle therebetween operative when the interlocking endportion of the latching member of the first arm of the second releasableclip engages the second arm of the second releasable clip forpositioning the suspension strap to rest where the strap engagementportion of the latching member of the first arm of the second releasableclip meets the first arm of the second releasable clip short of thelatching member of the first arm of the second releasable clip.
 21. Theassembly of claim 12, the suspension strap having an attachment portionlocated at the first end portion of the suspension strap, the assemblyfurther including a second releasable clip for affixing the first endportion of the suspension strap to the vehicle, the second releasableclip having a first end and a latching end, a pair of flexibly resilientelongated arms extending away from the latching end of the secondreleasable clip to the first end of the second releasable clip, the armsof the second releasable clip being joined by a return portion at thefirst end of the second releasable clip, the pair of arms of the secondreleasable clip comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first armof the second releasable clip at the latching end of the secondreleasable clip having a latching member for interlocking engagementwith the second arm of the second releasable clip when desired, thelatching member of the first arm of the second releasable clip having aninterlocking end portion for engaging the second arm of the secondreleasable clip, the latching member of the first arm of the secondreleasable clip having a strap engaging portion for engaging theattachment portion located at the first end portion of the suspensionstrap, the strap engaging portion of the latching member of the firstarm of the second releasable clip being located between the interlockingend portion of the latching member of the first arm of the secondreleasable clip and the first arm of the second releasable clip at thelatching end of the second releasable clip short of the latching memberof the first arm of the second releasable clip, the strap engagingportion of the latching member of the first arm of the second releasableclip and the first arm of the second releasable clip short of thelatching member of the first arm of the second releasable clip formingan acute angle therebetween operative when the interlocking end portionof the latching member of the first arm of the second releasable clipengages the second arm of the second releasable clip for positioning thesuspension strap to rest where the strap engagement portion of thelatching member of the first arm of the second releasable clip meets thefirst arm of the second releasable clip short of the latching member ofthe first arm of the second releasable clip.
 22. The clip of claim 2,the acute angle being in a range of about 20 degrees to about 80degrees.
 23. The clip of claim 2, the acute angle being about 57degrees.
 24. The clip of claim 2, the second arm at the latching end ofthe clip having an end portion extending laterally at an anglepreferably between about 45 degrees and 87 degrees.
 25. The clip ofclaim 2, the second arm at the latching end of the clip having an endportion extending laterally at an angle of about 80 degrees.
 26. Theassembly of claim 11, the acute angle of the first releasable clipformed between its first arm short of the latching member and its strapengaging portion of its latching member being in a range of bout 20degrees to about 80 degrees.
 27. The assembly of claim 11, the secondarm at the latching end of the clip having an end portion extendinglaterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to 87 degrees.
 28. Theassembly of claim 12, the acute angle of the first releasable clipformed between its first arm short of its latching member and its strapengaging portion of its latching member being in a range of about 20degrees to about 80 degrees.
 29. The assembly of claim 12, the secondarm at the latching end of the clip having an end portion extendinglaterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to 87 degrees.
 30. Theassembly of claim 20, the acute angle of the first releasable clipformed between its first arm short of its latching member and its strapengaging portion of its latching member being in a range of about 20degrees to about 80 degrees, the second arm of the first releasable clipat the latching end of the first releasable clip having an end portionextending laterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 87 degrees,the acute angle of the second releasable clip formed between its firstarm short of its latching member and its strap engaging portion of itslatching member being in a range of about 20 degrees to about 80degrees, and the second arm of the second releasable clip at thelatching end of the second releasable clip having an end portionextending laterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 87 degrees.31. The assembly of claim 21, the acute angle of the first releasableclip formed between its first arm short of its latching member and itsstrap engaging portion of its latching member being in a range of about20 degrees to about 80 degrees, the second arm of the first releasableclip at the latching end of the first releasable clip having an endportion extending laterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 87degrees, the acute angle of the second releasable clip formed betweenits first arm short of its latching member and its strap engagingportion of its latching member being in a range of about 20 degrees toabout 80 degrees, and the second arm of the second releasable clip atthe latching end of the second releasable clip having an end portionextending laterally at an angle of about 45 degrees to about 87 degrees.